Parliament and the provincial legislatures are democratic spaces that belong to the people of South Africa – or do they?

Parliament and the legislatures work with civil society to address problems with service delivery and people’s access to socio-economic rights – or do they?

Parliament and the legislatures make sure that government departments don’t waste public money meant for the improvement of education and healthcare – or do they?

Civil society organisations are pro-active in ensuring that parliament and the legislatures oversee government departments and that all voices are heard – or are they?

These and other vital questions will be debated at a civil society conference on parliament and the provincial legislatures to be held 13-15 August in Cape Town. 80 delegates from rural and urban areas across the country are expected.

“Public consultation is crucial for the consolidation of our democracy. The conference will therefore investigate whether opportunities and processes for public participation are accessible to civil society organisations and the public,” says Sam Waterhouse, Parliamentary Programme Coordinator at the Community Law Centre, University of the Western Cape.

Nkosikhulule Nyembezi, policy analyst and Advocacy Programme Manager at the Black Sash, adds that, “a civil society conference on South Africa’s legislatures is much needed at this time in our maturing democracy. As we look back at our enormous achievements since breaking away from the oppressive apartheid and colonial systems, the conference gives us a space to discuss how to engage with the legislatures to advance service delivery and socio-economic rights.”

The conference will be preceded by a community workshop on 7 August with people working at local level to realise their rights.

Media are invited to cover the following events:

Keynote address by Justice Albie Sachs – Monday 13 Aug at 6:30pm

Public debate entitled “True Representatives of the People?” with Zackie Achmat (Social Justice Coalition), SizaniNgubane (Rural Women’s Movement) and political leaders from the ANC and DA – Monday 13 Aug at 7pm